November 2019

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Do you remember how creative you were as a child and how your imagination roamed free? Art was messy, explorative and fun although as we get older, we seem to lose this creative freedom. To get us all in the creative mood, let’s talk about a few of the benefits of being creative and exploring our adventurous sides.

Self-expression: Art, dancing, music, writing, photography, cooking – all these creative outlets allow us to express ourselves. We’re able to take an internal vision and translate it into something tangible. It’s a way for us to explore our emotions and skills with no bounds or rules. We can be completely ourselves.

Safe-mistakes: Carrying on from the point above – there is no such thing as ‘perfection’ in creativity. You are free to make mistakes, in fact, these often result in the best creations. You can experiment with new tools and techniques with no repercussions. This teaches you the beautiful balance of making things happen and allowing them to happen.

Socializing: Creativity is a fantastic way to connect with others. At Evergreen we hold classes, such as line dancing, where residents can meet and bond over their creativity. We also encourage those who are interested to get creative in our craft room and to join in on the craft activities.  All of our activities and events at Evergreen are safe and secure and we ensure an environment that encourages people to be themselves.

New ideas: Think about all the amazing music that has been composed, the novels that have been written, masterpieces from Picasso and Michelangelo. None of these would exist without creativity. When you are creating you are experimenting, problem-solving and pushing yourself out of your comfort zone. This helps you perceive the world in new ways, inspiring new ideas in all areas of your life.

Accomplishment: Creativity gives a sense of accomplishment and pride. When you get stuck into something like a painting, learning a new instrument, trying a challenging recipe – it feels amazing when you finish what you set out to do. You’ve set yourself a goal, worked at it and then completed it, giving a sense of personal satisfaction.

So, how can you become more creative?

  • Join one of our line dancing classes
  • Cook without a recipe
  • Learn a new instrument
  • Try a challenging puzzle
  • Pick up a paint brush
  • Hand-make Christmas cards
  • Play music
  • Make a scrapbook
  • Start journaling

I challenge you to get creating.

Yours sincerely,

Annie Warner, Village Manager